[Boston Celtic-NBA 2K22]: Story of a great love (white embraces green)

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Portland Trail Blazers - Boston Celtic 103-114



The trip to Oregon may seem like a formality but coach C. Billups' team (under observation by the GM and the entire front office) is well built and well trained despite the many changes during the off-season.



Despite the two initial defeats, the young age and the percentages from the field which are at least revisable (36% from three points, 40% from the field and less than 100 points per game) the team shows good basketball at least in the first half led by the A.Simons duo - D.Ayton who with their pick & roll put Boston's defense in difficulty, forced to hint at the 2-3 zone also to contain the athleticism of S.Henderson, third overall pick in the 2023 draft and new face of the franchise after the trade that brought D.Lillard to Milwaukee.



The first half ends with Portland's lead 53-52, in the second half Brown and Tatum wake up (50 points and 20 rebounds between them) who help the team take their second victory of the season thanks to a partial of 12- 2 which closes the game at 113-104 for the Celtics.

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Indiana Pacers – Boston Celtics 102-116




Boston is looking for the best rotations and starts with P.Pritchard in the starting five to free up space in the second unit for D.White and A.Horford.

Indiana is a dynamic and athletic team, led by T.Haliburton and with the new arrival O. Toppin who left New York in the summer in exchange for two future second choices. Free from the rigidity of T.Tibodeau's schemes, he brings points and energy off the bench (25 points today with an unlikely 7/11 from 3PT).


Indiana will have to make a decision soon on Hield first and TJ.MC Connell/Turner second, useful veterans on the pitch and in the locker room but who have little to do with the team's timeline.



The game is already directed at the beginning of the first half with J.Tatum who immediately sets the record straight (31 PT 9 *** 1 RMB) with the support of J.Brown and D.Banton coming off the bench, creating a partial 12-3. Advantage managed without major problems for the entire second half despite the extended rotations for the final result which says 116-102 Celtics

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Miami Heat-Boston Celtics 118-103



Miami comes from an off-season where it lost M.Strus and G.Vincent, fundamental in their own way in the race that was interrupted until the 2023 NBA Finals, replaced by the return of only Josh Richardson, after the negotiation to bring D.Lillard in Miami it didn't go well.

Season started with two wins and one defeat for the Heat, with an average of 127 points per game, 51% from the field and a good 36% from 3pt with just over 30 attempts. K.Love starts as a fake starter with C.Martin ready to come from the bench together with T.Herro, still in transfer rumors today, with the interest of Nets Jazz and Hornets.



The Celtics are off to a good start as they attempt the 8-man playoff rotation scoring 37 points in the first quarter alone, surprising Miami a bit. The good scoring streak continues in the second quarter too, allowing Boston to close at 66-51 at halftime.



But it is in the second half that something gets stuck in Boston's mechanisms, thanks to a good defense by Miami, and a clear drop in concentration by the team which only scores 11 points in the third quarter. Boston's basketball was extreme, reaching 50 three-point attempts with a 32% success rate, this allowed Miami to get back into a game that already seemed to be over. J. Butler and B.Adebayo combined for 61 points to lead Mami's comeback which closed at 118-103.

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AROUND THE LEAGUE

The season began with the Harden issue, still out awaiting a trade, we are looking for a third team that can give an all-star to the sixers.



Ja Morant is serving his combined suspension from the league, which is possible in the second half of January. It is not excluded that the paths with Memphis will part ways in the near future, despite the fact that today he has a low value in the trade.



The Bulls, dealing with Z.LaVine's stomach aches despite the rich renewal, must decide which strategy to follow, whether to dismantle everything and rebuild or whether to make a big move to finally become a contender.

Atlanta is more worried about falling below the luxury tax than the results on the field, however the attempt to insert a winger as the third big player to join T.Young and DJ.Murray is possible.



The new owners of Charlotte who took over from a disastrous M.Jordan, begin their era with the change of GM, bringing S.Hinkie back to the league, and adding S.Scariolo to the Coaching Staff, fired from F.Bologna, one of the most successful coaches in the European field. Those in the know suggest a possible coaching change in Charlotte in the next 12 months.

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NBA MOCK DRAFT 2024

LOTTERY EDITION

1.Matas Buzelis, G League Ignite

Age: 19 Position: Forward Height and weight: 6-8, 209 lbs.


He's a confident 3-point shooter, a smooth shot creator, and he has the footwork and touch to score out of the post. He'll need to put on size to maximize his potential on the defensive end, but Buzelis is the type of prospect who fits today's positionless style of NBA basketball.


2. Alexandre Sarr, Perth (Australia)

Age: 18 Position: Center Height and weight: 7-0, 216 lbs.


At 7-0 with a reported 7-5 wingspan, Sarr is a fluid and mobile athlete with the instincts and elite shot blocking of a defensive anchor. He's already showing signs of improvement as a scorer, capable of doing more than just throw down dunks off of lobs and cuts.


3. Ron Holland, G League Ignite

Age: 18 Position: Forward Height and weight: 6-6, 204 lbs.
The 18-year-old G League Ignite star Hollan is a high-energy forward who projects to be the best and most versatile defender in this draft class. If he can continue to grow his offensive game as a shot creator and knock down the 3-ball more consistently, he might not surrender this spot.



4. Isaiah Collier, USC
Age: 19, Freshman Position: Guard Height and weight: 6-5, 210 lbs

The 19-year-old is built like a running back, utilizing his strong frame, elite body control and quick burst of speed to get downhill and finish through contact at the rim. He's an impressive passer, a physical defender and he loves to push the pace in transition.




5. Justin Edwards, Kentucky


Age: 19, Freshman Position: Forward Height and weight: 6-8, 203 lbs


Edwards has the build and skill set of a prototypical small forward in today's NBA.
At 6-8, 203 lbs., Edwards is a three-level scorer who can get to the rim, knockdown midrange jumpers and spot-up 3s, and score with or without the ball in his hands. He's a competitive defender and has the size and speed to guard multiple positions.




6. Zaccharie Risacher, JL Bourg (France)

Age: 18 Position: Forward Height and weight: 6-9, 204 lbs.

He's a raw offensive product who has shown flashes of being able to create his own shot, score as a slasher and make simple reads as a passer. His defensive versatility raises his floor.
At 18 years old, playing in the best league in France (the same league that Wembanyama came from last year), Risacher could raise his stock with an impactful season.



7. Stephon Castle, UConn


Age: 19, Freshman Position: Guard Height and weight: 6-6, 215 lbs.

Castle falls in line with the "big guard" movement in the NBA as a 6-6 playmaker.
The 19-year-old plays at his own pace, changing gears with a confident handle and advanced court vision to make the most out of every possession. His size, length and frame project him to be a suffocating perimeter defender




8. Tyrese Proctor, Duke


Age: 19, Sophomore Position: Guard Height and weight: 6-5, 183 lbs.


Proctor is a 6-4 combo guard who is a natural scorer who can score in isolation and get into the lane at will. He’s got a smooth jumper with deep range and a great ability to get his own shot.
Proctor has a nice frame that will add more weight as he matures. He might not have ideal size for the SG position but the way the league is trending that’s less of a big deal than it was a few years ago. He’s also a high level athlete who elevates well and has no problem making plays above the rim.




9. Izan Almansa, G League Ignite


Age: 18 Position: Forward Height and weight: 6-10, 216 lbs.


Almansa is a skilled, mobile and coordinated big man who plays with an attitude. His offensive game is unpolished but he has shown potential as a roll-man and post scorer with a developing perimeter shot. He's an active rebounder and energetic defender who should benefit from a full year in the G League to grow his game before he takes the leap to the next level.



10. Ja'Kobe Walter, Baylor


Age: 19, Freshman Position: Guard Height and weight: 6-5, 195 lbs.


The 6-5 shooting guard is more than comfortable creating his own shot off the dribble, already using stepbacks and side steps to get a look at the rim. His catch-and-shoot mechanics are strong, and he can fire away off of screens and handoffs. He's a professional scorer.





11. Donovan Clingan, UConn

Age: 19, Sophomore Position: Center Height and weight: 7-2, 280 lbs.


The 7-2 sophomore will be one of the best rim protectors and lob threats in the country. He hardly has to leave his feet to block shots with a towering 7-7 wingspan. How his post game, footwork and mobility improve will determine his ceiling as a prospect, and he should get plenty of practice as a roll-man alongside Castle.





12. DJ Wagner, Kentucky
Age: 18, Freshman Position: Guard Height and weight: 6-4, 192 lbs.

Wagner is a shifty 6-3 combo guard who is lethal off the dribble. He has a quick first step with a tight handle to create separation on jumpers or blow by his defenders for layups and floaters. He's a tenacious and disruptive on-ball defender and budding playmaker




13. Nikola Topic, Mega MIS (Serbia)


Age: 18 Position: Play Height and weight: 6-6, 201 lbs.


The 6-6 guard is a savvy playmaker who can make every type of read and pass. He's patient with the ball in his hands and you can't speed him up. He's a pick-and-roll maestro with an incredible feel for the game. Even though he's not a superb athlete, he plays physically to give him an edge.



14. Kyle Filipowski, Duke
Age: 20 Sophomore Position: Forwar Height and weight: 7-0, 248 lbs.

The skilled 7-footer can wear multiple hats on offense. He has smooth footwork and shooting touch with his back to the basket, he can space the floor as a 3-point shooter, he's physical on the glass and he even showed some playmaking chops as a freshman. His defense will be tested as Duke's anchor this season, but his offensive versatility gives his potential a high floor.

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CAN TATUM AND BROWN WIN TOGETHER?

More than a few insiders can't imagine the Celtics duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown lifting the Larry O'Brien trophy as a duo. Too much of the same player They don't complement each other enough, they complement each other, but not enough are the most frequent comments read on the web among fans.





However, they all agree that they wouldn't trade either of them if they were Boston's general manager. Brown and Tatum reached the Eastern Conference finals four times in six years as a Celtics tandem. However, they failed to bring home the coveted flag of Boston's 18th championship.





The Celtics are no strangers to people in the media claiming that Tatum and Brown may not mesh well together, furthermore, the personal and professional relationship between Tatum and Brown has been called into question over the years. Both fans and press have suggested that the two may not like each other, prompting Tatum to respond and explain that this is not the case.





It's possible that this year after adding a defensive point guard like J. Holiday and K. Porzingis under the boards, the two have a much better chance of bringing a championship together to Boston for the first time since 2008. However, it also seems It is possible that the team could still choose to split the pair if the organization deems it appropriate.

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Celtic's season continues in the best possible way with 6 victories in a row thanks to the favorable calendar against Detroit Washington New York Okc and Orlando. The exclamation point is the victory against the Warriors 105-94, where one of the best on the pitch is K. Porzingis , the much talked about and criticized Celtic signing of the summer. Often labeled as a lazy player with limited lateral mobility, there are many doubts regarding his defensive contribution, but he certainly allows the team to suffer less in rebounding as well as having 38% in three-point shots.












A negative note is the injury for Banton, an important player in Coach Mazzulla's rotations for his defensive contribution, who ends the season with the rupture of his achilles.

Clippers land James Harden in blockbuster 76ers trade

The LA Clippers acquired 10-time All-Star guard James Harden in a blockbuster trade with the Philadelphia 76ers The 76ers sent Harden, P.J. Tucker and Filip Petrusev (sent to Sacramento) to the Clippers for Marcus Morris, Robert Covington, Nic Batum, KJ Martin, an unprotected 2028 first-round pick, two second-round picks, a swap of 2029 picks and an additional first round pick choose from the Oklahoma City Thunder, . The Clippers will also send a 2024 and a 2029 second-round pick to the Sixers in the deal In this way the early season soap opera is unlocked by putting the words to the arguments between Philadelphia and James Harden.